Part A

Based on the information presented in the introduction of this problem, what is a sound wave?
A. Propagation of sound particles that are different from the particles that comprise the medium
B. Propagation of energy that does not require a medium
C. Propagation of pressure fluctuations in a medium
D. Propagation of energy that passes through empty spaces between the particles that comprise the medium
C. Propagation of pressure fluctuations in a medium

Part B
Having established that a sound wave corresponds to pressure fluctuations in the medium, what can you conclude
about the direction in which such pressure fluctuations travel?
A. The direction of motion of pressure fluctuations is independent of the direction of motion of the sound wave.
B. Pressure fluctuations travel perpendicularly to the direction of propagation of the sound wave.
C. Pressure fluctuations travel along the direction of propagation of the sound wave.
C. Pressure fluctuations travel along the direction of propagation of the sound wave.
Part C
Does air play a role in the propagation of the human voice from one end of a lecture hall to the other?
A. yes
B. no
A. yes

Part D
The graphs shown here represent pressure variation versus time recorded by a microphone. Which could correspond
to a sound wave?

Enter the letters of all the correct answers in alphabetical order. Do not use commas. For example, if you think all
three graphs could represent sound waves, enter ABC.
BC

Part E

Given by the problem:
Speed of sound "v" (m/s):
344

Period of wave "T" (s):
0.001


Solution:
Answer "f, " (Hz, m):
1000,0.344

Remember to use proper units and significant figures in your answer!
The next graph shows a sound wave consisting of a sinusoidal
displacement of air particles versus time, as recorded at a fixed location. For sinusoidal waves, it is possible to
identify a specific frequency (rate of oscillation) and wavelength (distance in space corresponding to one complete
cycle).
Taking the speed of sound in air to be 344 m/s, what are the frequency f and the wavelength lambda of the sound
wave shown in the graph?
Express your answers in, respectively, hertz and meters to three significant figures. Separate the two answers with a
comma.
The velocity of a wave equals its frequency times the wavelength:
v = f
V is given as 344m/s and T is shown by the graph to be 10
-3
s = 0.001s. Since f = 1/T, f = 1/0.001 = 1000Hz
Therefore:
v = f
344 = 1000
= 0.344
So the answer is:
1000,0.344
Note: pay attention to the labellings of the axes. For this problem, the x-axis was labeled as t(s), so its representing
period, not
Part F
A certain sound is recorded by a microphone. The same microphone then detects a second sound, which is identical
to the first one except that the amplitude of the pressure fluctuations is larger. In addition to the larger amplitude,
what distinguishes the second sound from the first one?
A. It is perceived as higher in pitch.
B. It is perceived as louder.
C. It has a higher frequency.
D. It has a longer wavelength.
B. It is perceived as louder.

Part G
A certain sound is recorded by a microphone. A second sound that has twice the frequency is detected by the same
microphone. In addition to the higher frequency, what distinguishes the second sound from the first one?
A. It is perceived as higher in pitch.
B. It is perceived as louder.
C. It has a higher amplitude.
D. It has a longer wavelength.
A. It is perceived as higher in pitch.

Part H
What varies between two tones that are different in timbre, that is, two tones that have the same fundamental
frequency but are produced, say, by different musical instruments?
Note that Figures (b) and (c) from Part D could represent tones with different timbre.
A. the pitch
B. the harmonic content
C. nothing
B. the harmonic content

The Decibel Scale
Part A
What is the sound intensity level , in decibels, of a sound wave whose intensity is 10 times the reference intensity
(i.e., I = 10I0)?
Express the sound intensity numerically to the nearest integer.
Just follow the formula:
= 10log(I / I0)
= 10log(10 / 1)
= 10log(10)
= 10 dB
10 dB

Part B
What is the sound intensity level , in decibels, of a sound wave whose intensity is 100 times the reference intensity
(i.e., I = 100I0)?
Express the sound intensity numerically to the nearest integer.
Just follow the formula:
= 10log(I / I0)
= 10log(100 / 1)
= 10log(100)
= 20 dB
20 dB

Part C
One often needs to compute the change in decibels corresponding to a change in the physical intensity measured in
units of power per unit area. Take f to be the factor of increase of the physical intensity.
Calculate the change in decibels (2, 4, and 8) corresponding to f = 2, f = 4, and f = 8.
To find the increase take I0 in the general formula to be the initial intensity and then take I to be the factor of
increase: I=fI0. Then, log(I / I0) = log(f) and the change in intensity measured in decibels is 10log(f).
The answer is:
3,6,9 dB
3,6,9 dB








= 17 cm


= v/f
=

= 13.1923 x 10
-6
m
= 1.31923 x 10
-5




d = vt
t =

= 1.0897 s

d = vt
t =

= 4.95626 s


Answer:

H
2
2 (343 m/s) (


+ 3.1 )h + ( 3.1)^2 (343)^2 = 0
H
2
26136.6 h + 1.131 x 10^6 = 0
H can be = 43.5 = 44 m and 26092 m
So final answer will be
= 43.5 = 44 m
L = K log I
2L = k log In
2(log I) = log In
In = I^2